Whitestone Gallery Taipei is pleased to present Emerald Ocean, a solo exhibition by emerging Japanese artist Karen Shiozawa. This exhibition delves deep into the origins of Shiozawa’s practice, exploring the source of her inspiration, empathy and creativity. On display are brand-new works born from her return to the Netherlands—the landscape of her soul—alongside pieces that more deeply explore the genesis of her sensibility. Viewers are invited to engage with the works, overlapping their own perspectives with those of the artist to encounter the quiet conviction of one who believes in the inherent beauty of the world. The exhibition opens with a reception on June 13, 2026, at 4 PM and runs through July 18, 2026. In conjunction with the exhibition, Whitestone Gallery Taipei collaborates with Taipei’s renowned Japanese-style confectionery brand Jin Jin Ding. Visitors participating in the lucky draw will have a chance to receive iconic Kohakutou crystal candies, as well as exhibition exclusive gifts.

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“The scene was like a sea of jewels. Beyond the horizon, I felt as if I could see a utopia.”

― Karen Shiozawa

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Karen Shiozawa is an emerging Japanese artist whose formative years in the Netherlands are deeply reflected in her work. Her paintings are characterized by a distinctive sense of space and dynamic contrasts between light and shadow. She captures the world not only through vision but through layered sensory impressions, such as sound and light, exploring expressions that resonate deeply within the viewer. Her works frequently feature European architectural motifs, including windmills, classical arches, and church spires. The artist skillfully employs chiaroscuro, balancing the interplay of light and shadow while harmonizing vivid colors with quiet resonance, resulting in compositions filled with remarkable tension and depth.

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Her creative process is meticulous and richly layered. She begins with establishing exquisite hues and outlining forms with light brushstrokes, followed by engraving underlying textures using needle-like tools. By scratching into the ground with a needle and employing tapping techniques to evoke soft light, she creates tangible textures and an ethereal, atmospheric depth within her paintings. As the artist herself explains, she aspires to paint the landscapes of her heart, continuously gathering "fragments of shining gemstones" to illuminate the way forward. Her hope is that even when lost, one can find a sanctuary for the soul within her art and step toward a new future.